Can’t Please Everyone

Positive Images

Recently I’ve heard so many negative comments about President Obama, it’s just amazing.  He may not be perfect, but I thank God for him, especially since he has been doing so much towards raising the country’s consciousness about black images.   So many want to believe the hype that “all” blacks are lazy, shiftless, uneducated, violent, and just unambitious.   As president, Obama has been able to disprove all those stereotypes, and also to create a platform for young, black kids, especially those without positive role models,  to realize they have alternatives.

What choices will our children make

As we view social media and television it seems the African communities across the diaspora is under severe attack, especially our men.   We have to bring our social life back under control, and we have to do it quickly.   Order has to be restored.  The shootings, the arrests, the  embarrassing public displays.  I cringe just thinking about the kids who are sitting behind their computers and looking on.  What are they thinking?  How are they digesting all of this?  Where will they be in 10-20 years as a result?  Who will they emulate?  Action is required on each individual.  I’m not talking about Essence, Ebony, BET, and these mediums of entertainment.  I mean action from the point of view of men who are employed, underemployed in some cases, self employed and even those involved in sports who can play a proactive role in the lives of children who are in need of mentors.   A takes a village, and it takes a village to move a child in the direction of self-sufficiency.

Resources

There are resources available for those in needs.  Whether you are in need of food, shelter, clothing, etc.

• http://camba.org/   This organization can point you in the direction of housing, food, clothing, legal and even employment.  But I would suggest you sign up with a few temporary agencies on your own as well, to give yourself more options.  Most of these agencies are dependent on grants, so essentially you are a number to them.  But, you learn a lot, so I won’t so they are totally useless.  Notice I said, they can point you in the direction.  Don’t depend on them to find anything for you.
• National Housing Services(NHS)  provides the following, (Emergency Home Repairs, Financial capability assistance, first time home owners information, foreclosure intervention, home improvement, refinance information).
• Banks – http://www.littleafrica.com/resources/banks.pdf

Picture Gallery – Historical

Nice lady kind enough to stop and allow me take her picture

My children are my image

 

#BRINGBACKOURGIRLS

Today is the 152nd day since 273 Nigerian school girls were kidnapped. We ask that all of you, from whatever city/country you live, to continue to march and hold rallies. Continue to call your government leaders and tell your friends. We will not be silenced.

Every day the family at the Bring Back Our Girls headquarters in Abuja march and rally by the hundreds.

#bringbackourgirls www.bringbackourgirls.us

 

Impressions

The Village I look at young, black, girls in the Brooklyn, New York neighborhoods.  Many are struggling due to lack of finances, poor self-image and poor academic performance.   It is so important firstly for parents or guardians to recognize what the particular needs are, then address them systematically in order for a positive change to take place. I remember growing up and hearing the slogan, we learn what we live.  This is so true.  Women are the guardians of the community, even though men are the cornerstone.  So, why shouldn’t we help the women to become better guardians, rather than mediocre guardians.  We have to bring together the older women to teach the younger ones.  I know Iyanla Vanzant had a special she did with some sisters and it really moved me because she introduced the council of older women, and I thought this to be most effective.  It’s also what we lack.  It’s what our young women lack. Self-Image A positive self-image is so important.  But, in our community of black people it can sometimes be like a needle in a hay stack.  There are so many images out there which affects our children.  I focus on the girls especially, but this does not diminish what happens to our male children.   There is the image of skin complexion, the image of thin vs. thick, the image of black vs. white.   So, we have to decide where we stand in all this noise of images.

Steve Biko

I believe once a child is made to feel beautiful, none of these images should matter, but it depends on each individual.   Empowering oneself is important, and it begins with how we see ourselves. Academics Academics is so important because you can use academics to define yourself, to strengthen who you are and stand strong.   It does not work for everyone, but I believe a good, solid education makes us better people generally.

 

Impressions

The Village

I look at young, black, girls in the Brooklyn, New York neighborhoods.  Many are struggling due to lack of finances, poor self-image and poor academic performance.   It is so important firstly for parents or guardians to recognize what the particular needs are, then address them systematically in order for a positive change to take place. I remember growing up and hearing the slogan, we learn what we live.  This is so true.  Women are the guardians of the community, even though men are the cornerstone.  So, why shouldn’t we help the women to become better guardians, rather than mediocre guardians.  We have to bring together the older women to teach the younger ones.  I know Iyanla Vanzant had a special she did with some sisters and it really moved me because she introduced the council of older women, and I thought this to be most effective.  It’s also what we lack.  It’s what our young women lack.

Self-Image

A positive self-image is so important.  But, in our community of black people it can sometimes be like a needle in a hay stack.  There are so many images out there which affects our children.  I focus on the girls especially, but this does not diminish what happens to our male children.   There is the image of skin complexion, the image of thin vs. thick, the image of black vs. white.   So, we have to decide where we stand in all this noise of images.

Steve Biko

I believe once a child is made to feel beautiful, none of these images should matter, but it depends on each individual.   Empowering oneself is important, and it begins with how we see ourselves.

Academics

Academics is so important because you can use academics to define yourself, to strengthen who you are and stand strong.   It does not work for everyone, but I believe a good, solid education makes us better people generally.

 

 

It’s a Beautiful Day!

Hello friends and family (Beloved ones),

This is a reflective day for me.  In fact the weeks behind me have been full of reflections.   My mind have been focused on how to manage myself and not others.  Did you hear me?   

 

HOW I DO IT

How do I manage myself?  It’s a process….I start each day in prayer, asking God to show me what He wants for me that day.  I ask Him to shape my day and keep me focused on future endeavors, rather than past pain.

I also try to do the same things each day so that I remind myself that I am not perfect, and keeping reminders are okay.  Keeping a to-do list of things I must do each day is so important for me because I am a task oriented person.  If I don’t do a list of things,  somethings just do not get done!  If I start my day being discombobulated, my day is essentially wrecked.   So, I have to be careful to be on task, rest when I’m not tasking, and enjoy my life in the process.  It’s a beautiful day to me when I remember who I am, and whose I am each day.

RESOURCES

Read if you can Stephen R. Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

I just found Justfab.com and just love it.  Try it out and say where you found them. 

If you are self-employed, or an employer looking for ways of managing or monitor employee(s) time Hubstaff.com is the way to keep yourself in the know, so that you are more effective.

BibleGateway.com  is another way I keep myself focused on the word.  I have the app on my phone and I have access to it via my computer.  Very resourceful and handy.

Myfitnesspal.com is also a great tool I use to keep me on target with what I eat, how much calories I consume, and just simply keeping myself healthy.  Start being healthy now, don’t wait until later.

Crystal

 

Timeout

Good Morning,

It’s been 8 months since I posted to my blog.  Life has had many ups and downs, and I’ve had to choose my activities carefully.  I’ve been trying to take things and life easy. I work very hard, and things haven’t been the way I would normally like them to be, but thus is life.  School has been stressful, especially with financial, and  health issues always looming.  But, I am so overcoming, and  I’m back!!!

My oldest son Augustus is still in a place of bondage literally, and fighting for his life. My prayers for him are for guidance and ordering of his steps for improved decision making and quality of life.

I became a new grandmom back in August of 2012, so now it’s official my grand daughter is now 1 year.  I just love her.

My daughter is growing and I’m praying to God for direction in her life.  She’s such an amazing young woman, so much strength, character and an amazing gift of artistry. Let’s see how she figures it out.

My youngest son has had a few challenges but he seems to be hanging on strong.  I can’t wait to see where his mind leads him.

I moved to a temporary residence in June 2013 until I can find permanent housing, but I have a great job and I love my employer and the people with whom I work.  

Joel Osteen posted the following to Facebook this morning, and I believe it:

 

Sometimes heaven can be silent. But in those silent times something powerful is happening deep inside. God is stretching you. You’re developing a greater confidence in Him.

This was Joel Osteen yesterday:

 

In spite of how you feel, in spite of what’s been passed down in your family line, every day you need to declare, “Everything about me is getting better and better.”

Having had two days off from work (Thursday & Friday) for the Jewish New Year -Rosh Hashanah, I commented on Facebook as follows:

I have two days off from work so I’m using it to take care of some necessary chores, also to get some much needed rest. I need prayer, for those prayer warriors out there (you know who you are). God knows my needs, so just pray and ask God for direction and He will let you pray appropriately for my needs.

Please enjoy your day and love the ones you are with. They may not be here tomorrow. Each day is so precious, so enjoy your life and enjoy the people in your life.

Remember words are POWERFUL!!! So, be careful of the words you allow to come out of your mouths. They can transform your life or break your life.

Don’t allow others to have power over you. Remember, you are a child of God and only you can be King or Queen of your destiny. I’m preaching to the choir now!!!! Good gracious me!!!!

Have a great day Y’all!!! Luv and kisses!!

Yesterday I had an opportunity to speak with my dear friend Keira.  Keira is the type of person you can call, and she listens and prays.   She has an interesting Non-Profit called C.O.N.N.E.C.T. Ministry in Knoxville, Tennessee.  I would love to be able to help because it involves helping people in the community connect to resources they may not necessarily find other places.  People with financial difficulty, homelessness, addictions, and sometimes despair arrive at her door, and her first approach is always prayer.  After that she tries to deal with the physical and emotional needs of the individual and their families.  Keira has other external resources she can approach to make the services she provide all encompassing, to include transportation assistance, rent, joblessness, etc.    I had the good fortune to work with her and enjoyed the experience tremendously.  In fact, the experience was life changing for me.

 

PHOTO BY MICHAEL PATRICK, COPYRIGHT © 2013

Keira Wyatt, Director C.O.N.N.E.C.T Ministries. Knoxville, TN

 

I cannot forget my friend Caroline who has had a tremendous impact on my life as well.  She has been realizing her lifelong dream of establishing an orphanage in Ghana for orphans and widows.  She recently took a trip to Ghana and did just that.  I think she is truly awesome and I pray for her success.

 

 

 

Caroline Quist, Director of Village of God’s Children

 

 

Discontent

The Courier

The new year started very interesting for me.  I’ve had many challenging moments and events but I digress.  The interesting points were my interaction with a courier (I won’t mention the name of the company only because I am giving them a chance to remedy the situation).  However, I was walking along one of our local roads here in Brooklyn and my son and his friends were skating ahead of me.  The courier and his helper said something very derogatory about my son and I mention to him (since he was being so vocal) the young man in question is my son.  His response to me was ” I don’t give a F*** ”    I responded to him in plain language (nothing else would suffice for me).  But as I walked away I became more infuriated because he was wrong for what he said in both instances and mostly his behavior in the community enraged me.  No other community would he have been allowed to speak like that or interact as though he did not care or value those who are paying him indirectly.  So, I had my son take a picture of the truck’s license plate and went on my disgruntled way…steaming all the way.  Upon arriving home a few hours later I of course called up the 800 number for the courier service and lodged my complaint along with a copy of the license.  It is not my hope that he is fired, but I do hope he is reprimanded severely.  People have to understand the value of their jobs and they also have to respect every community, not just select communities.

Laundromat

Okay, so last Saturday I ventured into a local laundromat to do some laundry.  It has been sometime since I’ve done so because I usually do it at home, but I had some heavy blankets and needed a big machine.  So off I went!  Upon entering the laundromat I first asked the question “can I use the card I usually use at the other place down the street?”   I was of course greeted with nonchalance and a response of “I don’t know”   I don’t like either because if you are working there I expect you to be chipper in your response and knowledgeable.  At least pretend to be happy and attempt to be knowledgeable.   It helps.  However, the attendant was neither.

Drama Develops

So, I said “Okkkkkkk?????” and walked away.  A few minutes later she decides to conjure up some knowledge and says “miss, miss, miss????”  I of course turned around and inquired if she was speaking to me and she then belts out “here!” and hands me another laundry card.  Now I have three.  I decided it’s best not to argue with this  but instead decided to take the peace-offering of the card.  I added my money ($ 20) and started my wash.  I wanted to get out of that forsaken place as quickly as possible.

 

Lo and Behold

When I started the machine the first thing it does is ERR!! Go figure!  So, I let it clear and tried loading money unto it again and it starts, but it shows my balance incorrectly.  It’s at least 6.50 less than it should be.  So, of course I go to the attendant again (RELUCTANTLY this time) and explained what happened.  This time she started speaking to me in a most belittling way and I had to stop her.  I told I simply wanted my money back on my card.  That’s all I really wanted from her.  So she goes to the booth and starts slapping her book around and supposedly talking to herself, but I could hear what she was saying and did not like one word of it.  Which I believe was her intention.   Anyway, I told her keep the money and understand this – you are the most obnoxious and disgusting customer service person I have ever had the misfortune to meet.  She started making fun of my use of words and say “oooohhhh obnoxious and disgusting……ohhhh!   It was so surreal I literally had to pinch myself.   I truly suspect she was volunteering?   I cannot believe anyone in a paid position (or otherwise for that matter) would behave in such a way.

40 Acres and a Mule

I wasn’t asking for a lottery winning.  I was merely asking for my due and what I had worked for.  My 6.50 to be exact.  That’s it.  I decided I was not going to lose my temper further.  I was not going to interact with someone who obviously did not want to do their job.   So, I looked around for a number for management – there is no such number posted by the way.  I tried calling 411 for the number of the laundry but it rings and rings off the hook.  My last recourse was to come back to this forsaken place which I did the next morning to speak with another attendant.  This new attendant tells me she could not reimburse me however she gave me a number to a manager.  It took me 3 days to finally reach the manager because her voicemail box was full (do you wonder why?????)  When I was finally able to reach through to the manager her first question was “who gave you my number?”

Resolution?

I did manage to explain to the manager what had happened and she apologized and mentioned I can come back in and retrieve my lost money.

In the backdrop I am thinking of all the people who have been cheated by this attendant.  Many unable to speak back in their own defense because of language barriers, etc.   My biggest question is why would management allow such a person to work in such a public place representing their valuable image?